volunteers across our state are donating food, giving blood, helping our community centers, and improving our parks. we focus on service this week knowing that, every day of the year, delawareans give of themselves to make life better for all. some do so as volunteers. others as public servants or citizen soldiers. many, just as neighbors. these are the examples our citizens set. and they simply ask that, every day we are privileged to serve them, we act in a manner that makes us worthy of being called their representatives. if we meet that test, if we are as good as the people we serve and lead, we will make wise choices today that will benefit generations of delawareans for years to come. we will give those future delawareans reason to greet a changed world with open arms, sure in the knowledge that we did for them what was done before for us, that we prepared

the way for their success, that we passed onto them a delaware whose brightest days were still to come. thank you. [applause]>> arizona governor jan brewer gives the arizona

state of the state address. she spoke to a joint session of the legislation in the house chamber for about 35 minutes. [applause]>> thank you.

thank you very much. thank you. speaker towbin, president pierce, honorable senators and representatives of the legislature, chief justice burger and justices of the supreme court, constitutional officers, elected leaders, honored guests, tribal leaders, and my fellow arizonans. two decades ago, nearly to the day, i entered this chamber for

the first time as a legislator. higher member it well, taking my oath of office. friends -- i remember it well, taking my oath of office. friends and family gathered. for all the change across those 30 years, it still remains the same. our annual ritual here continues. this is my fifth time at the lectern. i am so grateful to have been blessed with a family that is my rock of support. my husband john and my son michael are here today. thank you. [applause]arizona's leaders arrived here with the same

charge, the sacred principles of opportunity and freedom. we are all here on a mission of possibility. possibility that runs strong from our heritage. deep within our lands. and, above all, within ourselves. we have just celebrated all of the achievements of verizon' 100 years. -- arizona's 100 years. we were reminded that copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate -- i'm here to remind you that our second century will hit on another "c." competition. that is a clear answer when i reflect on what i have learned these past four years, and what has changed across the decades since i first sat in this chamber.

today, arizona must compete for the most desirable jobs for our citizens, the finest teachers in our schools, the most talented students and faculties in our universities, and each of our citizens must likewise compete to earn a living, build a future, and raise a family in a safe and healthy environment. we at this capital had better make sure we are helping them. not hurting them in their efforts. [applause]together, we made great strides in the last four years. we face the hardest of times during the downturn.

per capita, arizona has the second lowest number of state employees of all states. [applause]we reformed our personal system so our citizens will have a state workforce motivated by performance and accountability. [applause]we passed meaningful reform to improve our education system, and expand school choice. we limited regulation in the largest and most strategic tax cuts in state history, unlike our friends in washington dc. [applause]we even accomplished something novel and rare in politics. we kept our word. in 2010, we asked people to

increase their own taxes and promised him it would be temporary. that promise will be kept, when proposition 100 sales tax expires in may. [applause]not long ago, we were facing the worst housing collapse in our history, the downturns had cost us more than 300,000 jobs. our state government was bogged down by a $3 billion deficit. now our housing market is on the mend. recovering faster than anywhere in america. we are adding jobs at the swiftest clip in years, nearly 23,000 in november alone. arizona ranks fifth in the nation for job growth during 2012. [applause]the kauffman index

recently declared arizona the country's premier place for entrepreneurs. our budget is now balanced. we set aside $450 million in the state's rainy day fund for the next time that crisis strikes. [applause]crime and violence in arizona continues to trend downward. arizona has reduced crime by punishing criminals and not by infringing on the rights of law- abiding gun owners. [applause]our state is getting stronger. i am confident that arizona's light of opportunity will shine as bright as the arizona sun in the years to come. i understand there was a little

game being played last month called where in the world is jan brewer? i heard the rumors. i was not hiking the appalachian trail. [laughter]in fact, i was humbled that the united states military gave me an opportunity to visit our heroes in uniform living and working a world away. whether stationed in kuwait, living on a base in afghanistan, or recuperating from injuries at a military hospital, the brave men and women i met showed a singular love of country and clarity of purpose. please join me in honoring the service and sacrifice. [applause]while these

servicemembers are away, their families serve two. -- too. none of it is easy. that is why i'm so pleased to introduce danielle and her two boys. danielle's husband is staff sergeant of the arizona national guard. i met the staff sergeant this ball while he was on his second deployment to southern afghanistan, where he is still serving today. danielle, nicholas and jeff, please stand so that we can thank you for the sacrifice made i every military family. -- for every military family. we are forever in your debt. [applause]as we meet the

challenges facing our state, let's remember those who have given their lives and those that put their lives on the line every day for the freedoms and liberties we cherish. let's honor their sacrifice by giving the very best of ourselves every day in our service. we can start by taking action on behalf of some of arizona possible vulnerable. arizona's abused and neglected children. in 2011i convened a child safety task force -- 2011, i convened

a child safety task force. many of that panel's recommendations have been created. that unit is led by gregory mckay, a veteran homicide detective, an investigator of crimes against children. i am grateful to the police department for working with us on this critical mission and to greg for lending his time and his talent. greg, please stand so that we may thank you. [applause]overhauling the hotline system so the most

urgent calls are directed for faster response, streamlining the hiring process to ensure every available caseworker position is filled, and by cutting paperwork so that caseworkers can spend more time checking up on children. despite these efforts, there can be no doubt our system of child safety is under pressure. arizona's abused and neglected children need help. the executive budget i released friday will add 150 caseworkers and boost foster care, adoption services, and emergency placement of children needing rescue. because these needs can't wait, i am asking you to join me in approving an emergency budget request to hire 50 additional caseworkers right now. [applause]let's come together

for the safety of our children. we cannot strike evil from the hearts of those who would harm an innocent child. but these commonsense steps will help at-risk children get the assistance they need before it is too late. these past four years, we have tackled hard questions and faced moral challenges. my friends, this too is a moral issue. arizona must protect children. [applause]there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we work in cooperation for the common goal. just look at arizona's economic and fiscal turnaround. it is no surprise that we in arizona have created a model of recovery very different from

that perceived by the administration in washington, dc. where they have spent, we have saved. where they have hampered private industry with excessive rules and regulation, we have marshaled the power of the free market. we invest because we know, as president reagan once said, and i quote, "no power of government is as formidable a force for good as the creativity and entrepreneurial drive of the american people." [applause]in this new economy, talent is king. creativity is the new capital. the petition is worldwide. the rosetta, is -- the arizona commerce authority will continue to lead our job attraction efforts. companies such as silicon valley

bank have chosen to expand or relocate to arizona due in part to the good work of the aca. [applause]halfway through this fiscal year, the commerce authority has already helped deliver more than 680 million dollars in capital investments, and 6000 jobs. [applause]while we lower the barriers to business while keeping regulations lane and taxes competitive -- lean and taxes competitive, it is clear we have another problem, our own sales tax system. sales tax is the most critical source of revenue for core state programs. our sales tax code is also one of the most complicated in the nation. it is an accountant's stream, but a business owner's nightmare. -- dream, but a business owner's

nightmare. so many twists and turns it that we make difficult for businesses to simply pay what they know. --we. -- what they owe. complaints can be nearly impossible. -- compliance can be nearly impossible. brenda serves customers all over the valley. she deals with a different sales tax code in every city in which she does business. thankfully, she was willing to lend her time and expertise last year when i convened a task force of retailers, business owners, and tax experts to offer recommendations on how we can simplify our tax system.

linda is here today. linda, please stand. we are all grateful for your tireless efforts. [applause]but we must do more than simply think our small business owners. we can adopt concrete steps outlined by linda and senate majority leader john macomb-ish. steps that will simplify our tax code, remove one more barrier to economic growth. and make arizona even more competitive. while we take these important steps to boost our economy, we cannot forget the most fundamental and lasting key to arizona's competitiveness, our schools. first, we have a responsibility to make certain our children have a safe place to learn. the massacre at sandy hook

elementary was in unimaginable. we must take commonsense steps to lessen the likelihood of a similar tragedy striking arizona, while resisting the urge to turn our schools into a fortress. [applause]part of the solution is something that already has a track record of success, the schools we serve. my budget plan will expand to these trained officers. let's come together for the safety of our schools, allowing our teachers and children to focus on what's most important, learning. [applause]we have already injected competition into our

education system. arizona's growing charter school sector has produced top- performing models. this remains a state where one in four third-graders cannot read at grade level. one in four students drop out of high school before graduation. it is no coincidence those numbers are the same. research tells us that early reading proficiency is one of the strongest predictors of later educational success. that is why i am so proud the arizona legislature joined me last year in funding the move on with reading program. beginning now, schools across arizona must develop copperheads of reading assessments to identify -- comprehensive reading assessments to identify. we know the reading proficiency starts at home. we must continue to encourage parents to fulfill this basic

privilege and duty. working with parents and schools, let's help ensure that today's struggling young leader doesn't become tomorrow's dropout. [applause]to enable our schools to keep pace with global competition, we are raising standards and increasing accountability for students, schools, and teachers. everyone knows that global competition for jobs has changed. our schools must keep pace. our new common course standards, to the top education standards in the world. it is not enough to install a new curriculum, raise standards, and hope for the best. i'm committed to helping schools schools and teachers

make this transition of success. you will see that reflected in the detailed budget i will release friday. that brings us to school funding. whatever your point of view, we should all agree it is time we start sending the academic results we want to see. what i am proposing is the nation's first comprehensive performance funding plan. this plan will reward schools that are in high marks, or see real improvement in performance. i'm not talking about stopping attendance-based funding formulas. this will augment that system with an approach to promoting school performance while maintaining local control. stopause]together, let's

simply funding the system we have and start funding the student achievement we want. [applause]arizona's the future is also tied to another critical decision. it is a decision some would prefer not to face. they would like to wish it away. we cannot. nor can we simply wag our fingers at the federal government. trust me, i tried that once. [laughter][applause]of course, i'm speaking about arizona's medicaid program and expanded coverage in accordance with the affordable care act. like many of you, i opposed the president's health care plan.

that is why after weighing the pros and cons of the obamacare help exchange, i opted against arizona's participation. i also let arizona in joining a coalition of the state that sought to block the program in court. i have taken every opportunity to argue for health reform with less bureaucracy, more patient choice, and fewer costs. [applause]try as we might, the law was upheld by the united states supreme court. the president was reelected, and his party controls the united states senate. in short, the affordable care act is not going anywhere. at least not for the time being. [applause]by agreeing to expand

our medicaid program just slightly, beyond what arizona voters have twice mandated, we will protect rural and safety net hospitals from being pushed to the brink. take advantage of a norma's economic benefits, inject $2 billion into our economy, save and create thousands of jobs, and provide healthcare to hundreds of of thousands of low income arizonans. [applause]saying no to this plan will not save these federal dollars from being spent, or direct them to deficit reduction. arizona's tax dollars would simply be passed to another state, generating jobs and

providing health care for citizens in california, colorado, nevada, new mexico, or any other expansion state. remember, arizona citizens have voted twice to expand medicaid coverage. with this move, we will secure a federal revenue stream to cover the costs of the uninsured, who already show up in our doctors offices and emergency rooms. under the current system, these costs are passed along to arizona's families. healthcare premiums are raised year after year to account for expenses incurred by our hospitals as they provide care to the uninsured. this amounts to a hidden tax, estimated at nearly $2000 per family per year. as i weighed this decision, i was troubled. by the possibility that a future president and congress may take

steps to reduce federal matching rates. leaving states with a greater and greater share of health costs over time. i worried that any expansion of medicaid, no matter the federal subsidy, could result in costs the state cannot afford. together with my team, i have crafted a plan to address both those concerns and safeguard arizona. first, any expansion of our medicaid program will include a circuit breaker that automatically rolls back enrollment if federal reimbursement rates decrease. i will not allow obama care to become a bait and switch. [applause]second, we will allow

hospitals and health providers to assess a fee upon themselves, using that revenue to leverage federal assistance. this is already done in 47 states. it is also going on in the city of phoenix and under consideration in other cities across arizona. we can assure that our state general fund, there is no cost in expanding medicaid. [applause]this does not mean it is free money. we know there is no such thing. i am as much of a federal deficit hawk is anyone in this chamber. arizona's medicaid program access is not the problem. it is part of the solution, as the nationally recognized old standard for cost effective care

in this country -- gold standard for cost effective care in this country. i will weigh the evidence, and do the math. with derail it is facing us, taking advantage of this federal assistance is a strategic way to reduce pressure on the state budget. we can improve arizona's ability to compete in the years ahead. [applause]i am committed to doing this, and i want you on my side. let's work together in an atmosphere of respect, and do what is best for arizona. [applause]of all the subjects

we tackle at this capital, we must recall the facts and figures and spreadsheets never tell the whole story. for that, we must go back to the people we serve. maybe things happen in arizona when we work together as leaders. marshal available resources, and encourage innovation and partnership. for someone special i would like you to meet today. her name is shelby. she is 12 years old. it wasn't long ago that she would have needed a wheelchair to be with us. for nearly her entire life, she was a prisoner to a rare and unknown neurological disorder that prevented her from speaking. she could not hold up her head. she had trouble eating and breathing. her case had the doctors

stopped. shelby some researchers at the center for rare childhood disorders) arizona -- saw a researchers at the center for rare childhood disorders) arizona. they prescribed a treatment plan. the results speak for themselves. shelby, i am so happy you are with us today. please stand so that we may applaud you and your courage. [applause]

i have been in public life and long time. you know i speak my mind. i do it i think is right. a lot like arizona herself. our state has never shied away from tough decisions. we have been a national leader when it comes to everything from battling federal mandates, to pushing the feds to live up to their responsibilities. it should be no surprise that when it comes to management, of our precious natural resources, i would like arizona to set our own course is much as possible. today i have issued an executive order establishing the arizona natural resource review council. this council's task was creating a plan to help protect and maintain the values of multiple use, sustained yield, public access, and economic development on federal lands. [applause]

more than 30 million acres across our state are already under federal control. onecouncil's plan will be way we can protect arizona's interests on federal lands. arizona knows best how to manage our own land and natural resources. [applause]of course, you cannot discuss arizona's relationship with the federal government without mentioning mexico and our shared border. i have heard the call for immigration reform. i agree our nation's system is broken, and has been for decades. to the reformers, i say, demonstrate your stated commitment to secure the border

and make you that your first priority. [applause]after so many broken promises, so many starts and stops at border security, join me in holding the federal government to account. [applause] ecure, weborder is sick care must combine the rule of law and human compassion, providing safety for our citizens and facilitating our economic relationship with mexico, arizona is largest trading partner. we have already seen the border is secured in the human sector. the steep decline is proof that our border can be secured.

when the federal government employees the right mix of manpower and technology. [applause] i asked the president to finish the job. security sectors, and the most heavily traveled the way for illegal crossing into this country. the fill your promise to the american people. i will make good on mine. [applause] did in the meantime, because i'll never shy away from taking actions necessary to protect our state, i will be issuing an executive order against human trafficking. this is truly a crime against humanity. a modern-day slavery in which men and women and children are sold into forced labor or

prostitution. cindy mccain has been a leading factor. i look forward to working occur and legislatures to come back this growing problem. -- combat this growing problem. for those of you just beginning this voyage of public service, there are so many with us here today you have been an inspiration. someone whose contributions will be felt for generations to come. i am speaking up about united states senator jon kyl. he is the rares of creatures in washington, as someone who has walked away on his own free will and without voter showing him the door.

model, behind a lasting a quiet -- he leaves behind a lasting model, and dignity, grace. i know he was not feeling well and had to leave. let stand for him so we can thank him for his noble service. [applause] as we gather this legislative session, let us put the best interest of arizona above all else. that is what we are called to do. arizonas challenges are great but not greater than our capacity to meet them. this is arizona's legacy.

we read the last of the continental states carved from rugged country. if arizona truly intends to compete, we should study the meaning of the word. this may surprise you. the word "compete" is of latin root meanings "to stride together." our forefathers brought this to common cause. what does not squander the many blessings we have inherited. let's leave a legacy of our own. as keep arizona on the path to prosperity. it is a legacy i pray that will be worthy of this wonderful place i love. i am thankful york of with me now to do this work.

-- of you who are with me now to do this work. i entered this chamber three decades ago. i am filled with optimism. it is the kind that comes knowing our cause is just in our course is true. i know that arizonas the best days had yet to come. god bless you. god bless america. god bless the great state of arizona. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2013] >> and members of the joint committee -- bad neck, as bob walker delivering his annual state of the state's -- next, gov. scott

walker delivered in a state of the state address. this is over half an hour. [applause] >> is my privilege to introduce our friends, the governor of the state of wisconsin, and scott walker.

>> thank you. thank yo u. u. thank you. thank you. minority leader larson, minority leader barca, members of the wisconsin supreme court, constitutional officers, tribal leaders, members of the cabinet, distinguished guests, members of the legislature, most importantly, fellow citizens of is an honor to appear before you tonight.

before we get started, i would like to introduce the first lady of wisconsin, my wife, tonette. sons, matt and alex, and my family. next to my wife is major general don dunbar, our adjutant general.

wisconsin national guard. ladies and gentlemen, we are moving wisconsin forward with bold vision and bright hope for the future. i introduce any more members my family is going to be set to missed the kick up. i do want to thank don dunbar. thank you to them and to each of the wisconsin national guard as well.

stood here as your new governor, wisconsin was facing a $3.6 billion budget deficit, property taxes had gone up 27 percent over the previous decade, increasing every year, and the unemployment rate was 7.8 percent. today, wisconsin has a $342 million budget surplus, property taxes on a median valued home went down in each of the last two years, and the unemployment rate, well, it's down to 6.7 percent. we're turning things around. we're heading in the right direction.

we're moving wisconsin forward. avoided significant tax increases, massive layoffs and instead, we put in place long- term structural reforms that helped us balance state and local government budgets for years to come. what we did was think more about the next generation than we did state's history, we set money aside in two consecutive years for the rainy day fund. our bond rating is solid and our pension system is the only one in the country that is fully funded. we made tough, but prudent, decisions to get our fiscal house in order. today, unlike the federal government and many of our neighboring states, we have a

surplus, which will allow us to invest in our priorities. with the introduction of my proposed budget next month, i will lay out a clear plan for reducing the burden on hard- working families by lowering income taxes on the middle class. money in the hands of the hard- working taxpayers and small business owners in our state. unlike the message coming out of washington, i believe that putting more money in the hands of the people -- instead of the government -- is good for the economy. took office, our state lost nearly 150,000 jobs.

at the low point, unemployment topped 9 percent. soon after taking office, i called the legislature into a special session on jobs and we aggressive plans in the country. today, the unemployment rate hasnew business ventures are up nearly 11 percent. and we changed the opinion of our employers -- for the better. in 2010, a mere 10 percent of the employers surveyed said that our state was headed in the right direction. wisconsin was heading in the right direction. over the past two years, wisconsin moved up 21 spots on chief executive magazine's ranking of the best and worst states for business.

cnbc moved us up to number 17 and site selection magazine ranked our state as high as 13. state. that are great, we are just as excited about companies like nueske's meat products in wittenberg adding 21 jobs, poclain hydraulics in sturtevant 21 jobs. particular, want certainty and state. we're turning things around. we're heading in the right direction. we're moving wisconsin forward. still, there is much more work to be i